Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested on Friday, May 9, 2025, at a federal immigration detention center in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where he had been protesting the facility's opening. This incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration policies and the operations of detention centers under the Trump administration.
Baraka, a Democrat and a candidate for governor, has been vocal against the construction and operation of the Delaney Hall detention center, which is designed to hold up to 1,000 detainees. He has raised concerns about the legality of the facility's opening, citing issues with building permits. "They didn’t arrest anyone else. They didn’t ask anyone else to leave. They wanted to make an example out of the mayor," said Linda Baraka, the mayor’s wife, who accused the federal government of targeting her husband.
According to Alina Habba, the interim U.S. attorney for New Jersey, Baraka was arrested for trespassing after he allegedly ignored multiple warnings from Homeland Security personnel to vacate the premises. Habba stated, "He has willingly chosen to disregard the law. That will not stand in this state. He has been taken into custody. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW."
The arrest occurred after Baraka attempted to join three members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation—Reps. Robert Menendez, LaMonica McIver, and Bonnie Watson Coleman—who were at the facility for an unannounced inspection. Witnesses described a chaotic scene where a heated argument ensued after federal officials blocked Baraka's entry. Viri Martinez, an activist with the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, recounted, "There was yelling and pushing. Then the officers swarmed Baraka. They threw one of the organizers to the ground. They put Baraka in handcuffs and put him in an unmarked car."
The Department of Homeland Security responded to the incident by stating that the lawmakers had not requested a tour of the facility and accused them of attempting to storm the gate. "Members of Congress are not above the law and cannot illegally break into detention facilities. Had these members requested a tour, we would have facilitated a tour," said a DHS spokesperson. However, Watson Coleman’s spokesperson clarified that the lawmakers were allowed entry to inspect the center after explaining their oversight authority to the guards.
In a video shared with the Associated Press, Baraka can be seen speaking through the gate, asserting, "I’m not on their property. They can’t come out on the street and arrest me." Moments later, ICE agents surrounded him as protesters shouted, "Shame!" and he was taken back through the security gate in handcuffs. Julie Moreno, a New Jersey state captain of American Families United, expressed confusion over the timing of the arrest, stating, "It didn’t make any sense why they chose that moment to grab him while he was outside the gates."
Baraka’s arrest has drawn widespread condemnation from civil rights and immigration reform advocates, including New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, who criticized the arrest during what appeared to be a peaceful protest. Platkin noted that no state or local law enforcement agencies were involved in the incident.
The Delaney Hall facility, which opened on May 1, 2025, is operated by the private prison company GEO Group, which was awarded a 15-year, $1 billion contract by ICE. The contract is expected to generate over $60 million annually for GEO Group, which has faced criticism for its role in the detention of immigrants. Activists have alleged that the facility lacks proper permits and opened despite significant opposition from the community and local officials.
Baraka has vowed to continue protesting the facility's operations, stating his commitment to holding daily demonstrations until officials are granted access to inspect the conditions inside. He filed a lawsuit against the federal government last month in a last-ditch effort to prevent the facility's opening, arguing that it violates local laws.
In a press conference following the arrest, Baraka's campaign spokesperson, Kabir Moss, said, "We are actively monitoring and will provide more details as they become available." Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding the detention center reflects broader national tensions regarding immigration policy and the treatment of detainees.
As the situation unfolds, it raises questions about the balance of power between local officials and federal authorities, particularly in matters concerning immigration enforcement. The incident has sparked a renewed debate about the role of private detention facilities and their impact on communities.
In the wake of the arrest, the lawmakers involved have expressed outrage at their treatment and the handling of the situation by federal agents. Rep. McIver described the incident as "unacceptable," emphasizing that Baraka did nothing wrong. She stated, "If they can treat three members of Congress like that, just imagine how they can treat people on the street each and every day."
As advocates continue to push for transparency and accountability regarding immigration detention practices, the arrest of Mayor Baraka serves as a stark reminder of the contentious nature of immigration policy in the United States today. The events at Delaney Hall are likely to resonate beyond Newark, influencing discussions at both local and national levels about the future of immigration enforcement and the rights of detainees.
